The 2015 Pillar Awards: a continuing community commitment

Great companies serving great communities

The 2015 Pillar Awards honor greatness in the name of outstanding community service.
On behalf of everyone at Medical Mutual of Ohio and our Pillar Award co-founding partner, Smart Business, we present these annual awards for Community Service for the 18th consecutive year.
At Medical Mutual, we have long understood the commitment to improve Cleveland and the communities we serve. We strive to live up to that responsibility in everything we do.
I personally want to congratulate this year’s recipients for their understanding of “commitment to community.” That is what the Pillar Awards are all about — leading by example and helping to improve the quality of life for Northeast Ohioans.

Pillar-Awards-Smart-Business-Photos
To view an album of photos from the Dec. 9, event, click here!

You will notice that one of the Pillar Awards is a special honor given to a company whose employees best exemplify the values of Medical Mutual’s volunteer employee SHARE Committee.
SHARE, which stands for serve, help, aid, reach and educate, is the heart and soul of Medical Mutual’s charitable giving effort. Each year, this committee helps coordinate more than two-dozen community events involving nearly half of the company’s 2,300 employees.
“Improving the communities we serve,” is a common theme for all of the Pillar Award recipients over the past 18 years and, once again, Medical Mutual of Ohio is honored to be in such outstanding company.
Rick-Chiricosta-New
Rick Chiricosta
chairman, president and CEO
Medical Mutual of Ohio

The 2015 Pillar Awards Quick Links:

NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Brandon Chrostowski, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute | Claire Zangerle, Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio | Greg Harris, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum | Natalie Leek-Nelson Providence House
NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER The Rev. Gerald Bednar, Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County Inc. | Kathy Hirko, Cleveland Kids In Need Resource Center | Randy Samsel, Towards Employment
PILLAR AWARD FOR PHILANTHROPY Len Komoroski, Cleveland Cavaliers | Paul Perozeni, Fox 8 | Kristie Warner and Anne Davies, Gavin Scott Salon | Scott Lokke, Horseshoe Casino | Bill Priemer, Hyland, creator of OnBase | John Kahl, ShurTech Brand | Stewart Kohl and Paul Dolan, VeloSano Bike to Cure
MEDICAL MUTUAL SHARE AWARD Frank C. Sullivan, RPM International Inc.
YOUTH PHILANTHROPY AWARD | Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz, Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz YouthAbility Program
KENT CLAPP CEO LEADERSHIP AWARD Ned Hyland, Todd Associates Inc.
 

 

Here are the 2015 Pillar Awards for Community Service


PILLAR AWARD HONOREE
neo_pa_LenKomoroskiLen Komoroski
CEO
Cleveland Cavaliers
www.nba.com/cavaliers
 
As the Cleveland Cavaliers continue to strive toward winning an NBA championship, the organization is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of children and families in Northeast Ohio.
Throughout the year, the team supports a full roster of community outreach initiatives that address important social issues with an emphasis on education, youth and family services, health and wellness, volunteerism and entrepreneurship.
Since its inception, the organization’s charitable arm, the Cavaliers Youth Fund has made grants totaling more than $22 million to deserving nonprofits and charitable groups. In addition, the Cavaliers have provided more than $18 million in community gifts and contributions for a number of nonprofits.
With more than $40 million in community, civic and charitable giving, combined with the personal contributions by Quicken Loans Arena and Cavaliers players, coaches and staff, a very wide range of local nonprofit organizations and charities have been positively impacted under the leadership of CEO Len Komoroski.
Most recently, the team distributed more than $400,000 to local groups following the 2015 NBA playoffs thanks to NBA Finals watch parties, 50/50 raffle proceeds and Children, Youth and Families (CYF) grants. This included more than $260,000 split between the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Shoes and Clothes for Kids.
Each year, the Cavaliers are able to reach more than 100,000 children in Cleveland and across several counties in Northeast Ohio through the team’s many programs. The Cavaliers have also designed, built and opened 15 Reading & Learning Centers and Learn & Play Centers since 2004, as well as six Legacy Projects since 2008.
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PILLAR AWARD HONOREE

neo_pa_Fox8Paul Perozeni
General Manager
Fox 8
www.fox8.com
 
Fox 8 has the power to reach a lot of people via its television airwaves. Over the years, its viewers have come to trust the TV station, led by General Manager Paul Perozeni, as a strong advocate for charitable causes in Northeast Ohio.
This year marked the ninth year for the Fox 8/Stuff the Bus program, which was born out of a phone conversation between Kathy Hirko from Cleveland Kids In Need and Toni Garbo from Fox 8.
School supplies go directly to the Cleveland Kids In Need Resource Center. When the program began, it was only able to serve qualifying schools in Cleveland and East Cleveland.
Today, the Fox 8/Stuff the Bus effort helps qualifying schools across Cuyahoga County and this year’s drive filled 8 ½ buses. The value of what is collected in each bus is valued at $10,000.
Foster children are another beneficiary of the generosity of Fox 8 and the people who support its charitable efforts. Sadly, many foster children do not receive Christmas presents, but toys are collected each year for the foster children in Cuyahoga County to ensure that is not the case.
The program was expanded in 2014 to include four other counties and this year, gifts will be collected for foster children in Cuyahoga, Medina, Summit, Lake and Lorain counties.
Other efforts take place each year and publicity is granted to charitable efforts across the region, but Fox 8 is mindful that it not reach out to viewers too many times for help.
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PILLAR AWARD HONOREE
neo_pa_KristieWarner_AnneDavisKristie Warner and Anne Davis
Owners
Gavin Scott Salon & Spa
www.gavinscottsalon.com
 
Gavin Scott Salon & Spa has won numerous awards for its outstanding service and commitment to providing a unique customer experience since it first opened its doors in 2008. The salon and spa has been building relationships ever since and now attracts clientele from throughout Summit County.
In addition to helping its customer look their best, however, Owners Kristie Warner and Anne Davis are as committed to making a difference in the community they call home. Customers are encouraged to get involved in the effort by taking part in collection drives at the salon — whether it’s for school supplies or pajamas. Staff members are motivated to take part in charitable golf outings or haircuts for the homeless.
In all, more than $225,000 in monetary and in-kind contributions has been donated over the past seven years. But as was noted above, these efforts are about more than just writing a check.
For the Spa Night to Benefit Camp Christopher, the salon partnered with Catholic Charities Community Services of Summit County to offer an evening of pampering for a good cause. Participants enjoyed an evening that included a nail polish change, a hand/arm massage with paraffin wax dip, eyebrow wax and a choice of a mini-facial or a chair massage.
The salon also hosts an annual Halloween Charity Ball and an annual blood drive that collects more than 90 units of blood each year.
Other charities the salon supports include Project Homeless Connect, the Empowering Scholars Project, Trinity in the Community and Freedom House.
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PILLAR AWARD HONOREE
neo_pa_HorseshoeCasinoScott Lokke
General Manager
Horseshoe Casino Cleveland
www.caesars.com/horseshoe-cleveland
Employees at Horseshoe Casino Cleveland are encouraged to volunteer in the community with the organizations that are dearest to them. Under the leadership of General Manager Scott Lokke, Horseshoe employees spent more than 2,900 hours volunteering in Greater Cleveland through July 2015.
The employee volunteerism program, Horseshoe Employees Reaching Out (HERO), supports the Caesars Code of Commitment to improve the community in which employees live, work and play. The team has donated time to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Cleveland Animal Protective League and the Children’s Tumor Foundation.
A neighborhood cleanup took place in October near the Christmas Story House, which is located in the Tremont section of Cleveland, to get the site ready for the upcoming holiday season.
In the name of breast cancer awareness, team members participated in the Relay For Life with the American Cancer Society to raise funds for Hope Lodge, the MetroHealth Medical Center BREAST Program, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and the Light the Night Walk for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Horseshoe representatives also took part in the Salvation Army Tree of Hope program. Team members are invited each year to purchase holiday gifts for needy families in Northeast Ohio and the response has been tremendous during the program’s first three years.
Horseshoe and its team members also provided more than $46,000 in cash donations through July 2015, including $10,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, $2,689 for the Cleveland Animal Protective League and $25,000 for the East Tech Alumni Scholarship program.
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PILLAR AWARD HONOREE
neo_pa_BillPriemerBill Priemer
President and CEO
Hyland, creator of OnBase
www.onbase.com
 
Hyland, creator of OnBase, is committed to making a difference in the local community. Employees lead a dedicated Community Engagement team that has the power to be transformational. The team strives to make the communities that employees live and work in better places each and every day.
A great example of a recent volunteer project is Hyland’s Summer of Service event. In August, roughly 300 employees signed up to volunteer their time to make a difference in 10 locations throughout the Tremont neighborhood. Employees spent the day building a playground for the Urban Community School, cleaning up the beach at Edgewater Park and sorting seeds at a local library.
In one day, 12 projects were completed totaling 1,158 volunteer hours.
Led by Bill Priemer, the company’s president and CEO, Hyland encourages employees to pursue and devote time to causes that incite their passion and the company backs employees’ efforts in the community in a variety of ways. The goal is to create an environment that encourages and supports an employee base that is active and engaged.
Hyland’s intention is to participate in giving back and supporting the community and to enable the employees of Hyland to share in that effort — personally, departmentally or through companywide initiatives.
Hyland offers a unique Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, which empowers employees to take up to 12 hours of paid VTO per year to use while volunteering at nonprofits of their choice. Additionally, individual departments and teams have the opportunity to give back to the community through a variety of service projects.
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PILLAR AWARD HONOREE
cle_cs_JohnKahlJohn Kahl
CEO
ShurTech Brands LLC
www.shurtech.com
 
ShurTech Brands LLC prides itself on sharing its success with others by giving back to the community. The company is extremely active in the social fabric of the local communities in Avon and Cleveland, as well as the national and international communities via financial, product and in-kind donations.
In recent years, led by John Kahl, the company’s CEO, ShurTech has assisted more than 200 nonprofit organizations on an annual basis.
While the company has a specific focus on education, it also recognizes a responsibility to answer the many needs in the community. So the company has expanded its support to aid the community at large. This support is done in partnership with — and through involvement by — ShurTech employees.
A large portion of financial donations to support local organizations is coordinated through an internal, company-sponsored program called Helping Hands. This employee volunteer program consists of employee volunteers who initiate fundraising projects throughout the year, staff the events and then determine which organizations to support.
Employee fundraising activities include: dress down Fridays, coffee/bake sales, raffles, cornhole tournaments and hoops competitions. This past year, the Helping Hands team raised thousands of dollars through employee donations.
Beyond financial commitments, ShurTech Brands has supported various nonprofit and community groups through volunteerism and other unique programs.
As part of the company’s creativity with its flagship product, Duck® tape, each year, as part of its sponsorship, ShurTech designs an elephant to be on display in the zoo that is covered and decorated using its duct tape.
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PILLAR AWARD HONOREE

Stewart Kohl and Paul Dolan

Founder and co-chair; co-chair
VeloSano Bike to Cure
www.velosano.org
 
VeloSano Bike to Cure is already making a difference for those who have dedicated their professional lives to making advancements in cancer research every day, says Stewart Kohl, founder and co-chair of the organization that coordinates the annual event.
“They want to understand this disease better,” Kohl wrote in the VeloSano 2014 Annual Report. “They want to make the lives of those battling cancer easier. They want to make the disease go away — just as you do.”
Along with fellow co-chair, Paul Dolan, Kohl launched an event that grew from nearly 800 riders from 21 states pedaling more than 49,000 miles in 2014 to nearly 1,300 riders from 28 states pedaling more than 69,000 miles at the 2015 event.
The 2014 annual report included numerous stories of the strong commitment demonstrated by participants. For instance, Greg, Anne, Freddy and Charles Avis traveled the furthest, going from Palo Alto, California, to Cleveland to ride in VeloSano as part of Team Hurricane Sandy. The Avis family is originally from Cleveland and rode in honor of Sandra Avis, a 10-year breast cancer survivor and wife of Todd Avis.
The efforts of participants such as these and the more than 1,600 volunteers at the first two VeloSano events did not go unnoticed by Kohl.
“Whether you were picking up trash at the event site, cycling (in the rain) for hours, supporting friends and family through gifts of any size, or making peanut butter sandwiches – this is a report of your accomplishments,” Kohl wrote. “Be proud. I know I am.”
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OUR LADY OF THE WAYSIDE NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_KathyHirkoKathy M. Hirko
Co-founder
Cleveland Kids In Need Resource Center
www.clevelandkidsinneed.org
 
As a board member of the National Kids In Need Foundation, Kathy M. Hirko was at the grand opening of the Washington, D.C., Resource Center. The resource centers are for teachers to shop for school supplies for their students at no cost, but children do come for the grand opening of a new center.
At this event, one little girl won Hirko’s heart forever. She was very young and in her hand she carried a junior-size legal pad. Hirko couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes and when she got back home, she shared the powerful moment with her husband.
“You would have thought we handed that little girl a computer!” she said to him. “We are so spoiled; these kids have nothing.”
Doing business with OfficeMax on a regular basis, Hirko, along with the executive director of the national foundation reached out to Michael Feuer, OfficeMax’s co-founder and CEO at that time.
She asked if OfficeMax would sponsor a Kids In Need Resource Center in Cleveland — a new center can’t open until it has a local sponsor who will commit to being a sponsor for five years. A school also must have 75 percent of its students on the federally funded lunch program to qualify.
The company agreed and Hirko, co-founder, opened the Cleveland Kids in Need Resource Center in November 2001. During the 2002-2003 school year, the center reached out to 25 Cleveland schools with teacher visits helping more than 10,000 students. Since 2001, Cleveland Kids In Need has received $16.8 million in product for distribution.
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OUR LADY OF THE WAYSIDE NONPROFIT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_RevGeraldBednarRev. Gerald J. Bednar, Ph.D., J.D.
Chairperson
Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County Inc.
www.projecthopeonline.org
 
It would be impossible to count all the people who have been a part of the great work done by Ecumenical Shelter Network of Lake County Inc., known to the public as Project Hope for the Homeless in Painesville Township.
Some are volunteers who have provided money or shared their own gifts and talents to help those in need. Some cook meals or spend time at the shelter with guests. Some serve on the board and others speak on behalf of the organization or give their time as spiritual leaders.
Rev. Gerald J. Bednar, Ph.D., J.D., who serves as chairperson, has effectively participated in all of these forms of service, going above and beyond the call of duty and dedicating his life to Christ and serving Him.
Bednar was raised in Parma and is an attorney and a member of the Ohio State Bar Association. Although he excelled as an accomplished attorney, Bednar knew of his calling to the priesthood since second grade. He was ordained in 1983 and received his first assignment at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Chagrin Falls.
He went on to earn his doctorate in theology and he sees Jesus in all who enter Project Hope’s shelter, which is located on Freedom Road. It’s why his passion for the mission continues so strongly. Fellow trustees on the shelter board appreciate the succinct, efficient way Bednar runs a board meeting; his practicality; his ethics, integrity and business acumen; and his ability to keep everyone focused on the mission.
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OUR LADY OF THE WAYSIDE NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_RandySamselRandy Samsel
Board Executive
Towards Employment
www.towardsemployment.org
 
Randy Samsel demonstrates at all times the value and impact a for-profit leader can contribute to an organization, a cause and a community. His ability to listen, evaluate and provide a clear, informed course of action is appreciated and needed as Towards Employment continues to grow.
Since 1976, Towards Employment has helped more than 120,000 low-income and disadvantaged adults in Greater Cleveland prepare for, get and keep jobs and move up the career ladder. And since 2004, the organization has successfully taken on the challenge of placing ex-offenders in full-time, permanent jobs.
Samsel serves as board executive and has been on the board since 2012. He is committed to the mission of creating career pathways that allow people to move out of poverty. Coupled with his business acumen and sense of urgency, he provided the spark Towards Employment needed to choose the right social enterprise business to roll out to the market.
Samsel led a social enterprise committee dedicated to getting a triple bottom line enterprise up and running for Towards Employment. He identified early on that any enterprise chosen would have to provide transitional and full-time employment opportunities to Towards Employment graduates. It would also need to provide unrestricted revenue to the organization for continued programming and growth. Finally, it would need to provide greater awareness for the mission of Towards Employment.
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AXA ADVISORS NONPROFIT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_BrandonChrostowskiBrandon E. Chrostowski
Founder, president and CEO
EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute
www.edwinsrestaurant.org
 
The idea for EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute was born from a break that Brandon E. Chrostowski received early in life.
“As a young apprentice, a great chef once told me ‘to make it happen with what you have,’” Chrostowski says. “It was a simple kitchen lesson that became a way of life and has enabled me to do many things beyond what I thought was possible.”
When Chrostowski thinks about what he has accomplished in his life, it brings a smile to his face. But he will never forget the day years ago when as a reckless teenager with a single mom doing her best to support him U.S. Marshals, who were looking for him, surrounded their home.
“I was lucky the judge believed in me or saw something good in me,” Chrostowski says. “After a few days in jail, facing a 10-year prison sentence, I was allowed to walk free. It was at that moment that I decided to repay the judge’s belief in me and find some way for myself to believe in others.”
As founder, president and CEO of EDWINS, Chrostowski has built an organization that takes a unique approach to giving formerly incarcerated adults a foundation in the hospitality industry while providing a support network necessary for a successful re-entry. Its goal is to enhance the community of Cleveland’s vulnerable neighborhoods by creating a pathway for its future leaders.
To date, there are 90 graduates from the program with 61 of those individuals currently employed in the restaurant industry. None of the graduates have returned to prison.
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AXA ADVISORS NONPROFIT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_ClaireZangerleClaire M. Zangerle, MSN, MBA, RN
President and CEO
Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio
www.vnaohio.org
 
Health care changes are often disruptive and chaotic, but they provide an opportunity to create a better future for the industry. At Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio, President and CEO Claire Zangerle, MSN, MBA, RN, is leading the organization through these changes with tactics that are both distinctive and effective.
Since joining the organization seven years ago, Zangerle has led VNA of Ohio through strategic and operational transformations that continue a legacy started more than 110 years ago. Her focus on mission and elevating the level of service of the organization signal a promising future for VNA of Ohio — a true Cleveland treasure.
Zangerle’s career in health care has spanned the entire continuum, from ambulatory to inpatient to home health, giving her a unique perspective into the needs of patients, their families and the community. She has led the development and deployment of clinical programs for the under-resourced in the community while expanding the geographic footprint of the organization.
She is both highly strategic and operationally engaged at the same time. She insists on transparency and constant communication — which is demonstrated through her weekly letters delivered to every employee that end with the same invitation every week, “you can always reach me; stop by my office, email or call.”
Zangerle empowers staff to exceed expectations, allowing them to be innovative in their delivery of services. Her leadership and personal mission to serve leads the organization and continues its legacy and mission of caring into the future.
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AXA ADVISORS NONPROFIT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_GregHarrisGreg Harris
President and CEO
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
www.rockhall.com
 
Rock ’n’ roll has always pushed boundaries and questioned the status quo. Fitting then that under the leadership of President and CEO Greg Harris, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is undergoing an innovative transformation during its 20th anniversary.
Under Harris’ direction, the Rock Hall has gained profound insight into its varied audiences — not just who they are, but what inspires and excites them, their expectations and attitudes.
That intelligence is at the foundation of an ambitious growth strategy and vision for a renewed and energized Rock Hall and staff.
The strategic direction focuses on five key tenets: enhanced learning through exhibits, programs, and outreach; commitment to a reinvigorated, common identity; a culture of innovation; strengthened financial position; and a high-performing workforce.
The museum generates an annual economic impact of more than $100 million for Northeast Ohio. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony generates an additional $15 million in economic impact for the region in the years that it’s hosted in Cleveland. Every three years, the Induction Ceremony returns to Cleveland, bringing with it tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe.
With numerous A-list musicians and celebrities involved in the 2015 ceremony, which took place at Cleveland’s Public Hall, the Rock Hall aimed to leverage the series to its maximum potential, not only generating significant revenue for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and its mission activities, but also shining a bright media spotlight on Cleveland and its emergence as a travel destination.
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AXA ADVISORS NONPROFIT DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
neo_pa_NatalieLeekNatalie Leek-Nelson
President and CEO
Providence House
www.provhouse.org
 
Over the past 15 years, Natalie Leek-Nelson has led a dynamic effort to transform Providence House from a small nonprofit crisis nursery on West 32nd Street in Cleveland to a local and national model for children’s crisis care, trauma-informed therapy and family preservation.
While Providence House originally provided a safe haven for babies and children in crisis, Leek-Nelson has worked with the board and staff to evolve this service model from protecting children to empowering their families and building stronger, safer communities for every child. She has also leveraged her corporate experience to improve the Providence House business model, streamlining operations, establishing outcome-based practices and increasing revenues.
As president and CEO, Leek-Nelson has led the expansion and evolution of an agency service model to move beyond emergency shelter for children in crisis and expand to include holistic child development, family preservation, parent engagement and education-focused services.
She also led the creation of Elisabeth’s House: The Prentiss Wellness Nursery, the first of its kind in the U.S. It’s a place that is meant to address children’s medical needs and family stability to support the safe discharge of children whose families are in crisis to an appropriate setting. In addition, the facility provides intensive family services to increase caregiver capacity and stabilize family crises.
On the financial side, Leek-Nelson has reduced a budget deficit through active fundraising, diversified revenue streams, streamlined staff and operations, outsourcing and fund management. She has created and strengthened partnerships with more than 40 local human service agencies to engage mutual referrals and service provision.
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KENT CLAPP CEO LEADERSHIP AWARD
neo_pa_NedHylandNed Hyland
President and Shareholder
Todd Associates Inc.
www.toddassociates.com
Philanthropy is a big part of Ned Hyland’s life, and that passion has been extended to his work at Todd Associates Inc., where he serves as president and shareholder. But there is one cause that stands out above the rest for Hyland and his family.
In 2008, the Diana Hyland Miracle Fund was established in memory of Hyland’s wife, Diana, who lost her battle with the devastating disease of metastatic breast cancer in October 2008. Diana and Ned co-founded the fund when Diana became very ill. She knew it would not benefit her personally, but her vision was to create a fund that would help others afflicted with advanced breast cancer.
The Miracle Fund’s mission is to further research for advanced breast cancer by focusing on new theories, trials and treatments aimed at managing the cancer and extending lives. Every dollar raised does directly to University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. What makes the Miracle Fund unique is that it is one of the first funds to focus solely on advanced breast cancer. As a result of the fund’s efforts, internationally recognized authorities on breast cancer treatment and research are being recruited to Seidman Cancer Center.
Since its inception, Ned has led the grass-roots committee of family and friends to host seven annual gala fundraisers at Shaker Heights Country Club, as well as numerous golf outings to support the fund. He has successfully recruited other families and individuals afflicted by advanced breast cancer to become involved and financially support the fund.
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YOUTH PHILANTHROPY AWARD
neo_pa_HorvitzYouthAbilityGroupRichard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz
Founders
Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz YouthAbility Program
www.jfsa-cleveland.org
 
The Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz YouthAbility Program of Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland brings together and empowers young adults with disabilities and at-risk teens to become self-sufficient, contributing members of society. This is done through volunteerism, individual and group projects, vocational activities, wellness education, social engagement and educational travel.
More than 300 at-risk youth and individuals with disabilities participate in the Horvitz YouthAbility Program, founded by Richard Horvitz and Erica Hartman-Horvitz, and 85 percent of the participants are under the age of 22.
For young adults with disabilities (Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, visual and hearing impairments and other developmental disabilities) and at-risk teens (juvenile offenders and suspended and expelled students), opportunities to learn independence and self-sufficiency are limited.
JFSA has brought these two seemingly disparate populations together to create one of the most unique youth outreach programs in Greater Cleveland.
Each year, more than 300 YouthAbility members perform more than 10,000 hours of service to the community. Under the direction of a full-time program coordinator, along with adult volunteers who provide supervision and oversight as needed, members actively engage in community service projects.
These projects enable each individual to gain self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as develop soft job skills such as public speaking and general office skills.
YouthAbility works with many strategic alliances that provide referrals, volunteer projects and internships.
The Horvitz YouthAbility Program has become a global model for promoting inclusion and allows the children helped to go from being community outcasts to community heroes.
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MEDICAL MUTUAL SHARE AWARD
neo_pa_FrankSullivanFrank C. Sullivan
Chairman and CEO
RPM International Inc.
www.rpminc.com
 
The Value of 168 is a statement of the corporate philosophy of RPM International Inc.
This figure, often cited by the company’s late founder, Frank C. Sullivan, literally represents the number of hours in a week.
On a deeper level, it serves to remind RPM employees of his belief that we are all born with two great gifts: life and the time to do something with it.
The Value of 168 signifies RPM’s enduring commitment to fellow employees, customers, shareholders and the communities in which they live and conduct business. This commitment springs from an ethos woven into the company’s culture.
It is evident in the stimulus of a work environment characterized by empowerment, accountability, opportunity and respect. It can be seen in the care that goes into building and sustaining long-term relationships with those the company serves and with whom they interact, and the refusal to compromise on quality and integrity.
The Value of 168 is the essence of RPM.
Led by Sullivan’s grandson, Frank C. Sullivan, who serves as chairman and CEO, RPM has donated or pledged nearly $7 million to approximately 350 organizations over the past five years. More importantly, however, RPM often multiplies the value of its cash contributions with the human energy necessary to fulfill unmet needs, launch new ideas in community service and bring private sector expertise to bear in the nonprofit sector.

The company’s community involvement is not just signing checks; it’s partnering with select nonprofits to deliver programs and services to constituents that go well beyond the impact of monetary donations.

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